Sectional win culminates season but goals don't stop

INDIANAPOLIS -- South Putnam began this season, like every other season, with three goals. The first two came after going undefeated against Putnam County opponents and winning the West Central Conference outright for the first time since 1988.

The third was crossed off Friday when the shorthanded Eagles went into Indianapolis Lutheran territory and scored an emotional win against the Saints.

SPHS has already accomplished everything it set out to before the year began, so it's all gravy from here on, right? Not quite.

"We set that silent goal when we went up to Lucas Oil that night (on Saturday after week one)," South Putnam coach Troy Burgess said. "We talked then. This is where we start the season, and it's where we're going to finish the season.

"We want to play on Thanksgiving and we have all year. We also know it's one game at a time and we're going to have a very, very tough ball game at home next Friday night."

The Eagles are now just three wins away from ultimate prize, an Indiana High School Athletic Association Class A state championship, with each game along the presenting a milestone of its own.

South Putnam last won a regional championship in 2002, making it all the way to the state championship game that year for the second time in school history.

The route to the dome that year was a little different than this might be. The Eagles are hosting next week's regional game against Eastern Hancock and, should they win, they'll likely host the semi-state round as well, either against Fountain Central or Linton-Stockton.

In 2002, the Eagles were on the road for the final two games leading up to the championship.

That might be significant as this season's squad has had a habit of playing much better at home.

It won't be easy. South Putnam is without the half of the offensive middle that it started the year with. Senior center Nathan Criss tore his ACL prior to the fifth game of the year and senior quarterback Sawyer Arnold missed all but the final play of the sectional championship game after injuring his knee last week in the sectional semifinal win at West Washington.

The offensive line has shuffled and sustained, and sophomore Grady McHugh has been a remarkable player in his two weeks of action. But the leadership and stability of seniors gets more important as teams get deeper into the season.

South Putnam didn't name any captains this year, instead having all of their seniors pick up the duties in rotating spots, but Criss and Arnold have been leaders among the leaders.

The two honor students set an example for the rest of the team off the field, and calm them during tense moments in games. Those tense moments are starting to come even more frequently now.

The Eagles have plenty of other places to find their foundation but they're having to step up on the fly.

"All of our seniors are leaders and we've all been captains," senior Braden Patrick said. "We didn't choose a certain person so we all have to lead."

South Putnam is just 20 days -- just three more games -- from getting those seniors their reward. With all their goals reached, it's time for the Eagles to make new ones.

Now there's only seven teams sharing them.